Springfield police investigate Kent Road murder

Springfield police are investigating what they believe may have been a drug-related murder Wednesday night.

The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Brandon Sparks of Springfield.

Police said Sparks and a passenger were meeting someone in a driveway at 123 Kent Rd. when a confrontation ensued.

"A person drove up in a dark colored vehicle got out of the car demanded the driver get out and when he refused and put it in drive that's when the suspect opened up," said Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney.

Sparks crashed into a parked car after the suspect started shooting.

Police said the passenger fled from the car for his own safety.

"When officers arrived they found an Acura in the driveway that had struck a car and behind the wheel of the car was 29-year-old victim," said Delaney.

Sparks suffered from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Baystate Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

"Detectives from the homicide unit responded and we've been working on it around the clock," said Delaney.

A large amount of drugs and cash were found inside of the Acura. Detectives said the shooting may have been drug related.

Neither Sparks nor the passenger in the car with him live on Kent Road. Neighbors said they are shocked that something like this would happen on their street.

This wasn't the first time that Sparks was involved in a shooting in the city of Springfield. Back in 2009 he was shot five times on Quincy Street in an incident that left a 25-year-old man dead.

"The victim of the crime is known to the Springfield Police Department," said Delaney.

If you have any information about this murder you're asked to call the Springfield Police Department's Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or you can send the information through "Text-a-Tip."

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A young Chicopee woman, who has been on her own since she was just 16 years old, recently lost everything she owns in an apartment fire. Our Lia Auto Group and Western Mass News Surprise Squad is working with Borys Furniture in Chicopee to give her a little extra support before the holidays.